The 2018 Consumer Electric Show is full of exciting new technology for everyone, including the automotive industry. One of the most anticipated is the unveiling of the Linux-based MBUX that promised to bring a “revolution in the cockpit.”

Expect to see this infotainment system in upcoming compact models starting off with the next-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback. A camouflaged near-production prototype of the five-door model is currently in Las Vegas at the CES. This won’t be offered in the United States but then, the sedan version will make it to the country soon enough.

We will be giving you all the details you will need to know about the infotainment system, starting off with the seven-inch instrument cluster with a touchscreen of the same size that can be found on the A-Class. For the higher trim, the touchscreen gets an upgrade to a 10.25-inch version. Meanwhile, the top trim gets a dual 10.25 inch setup.

Mercedes-Benz has a completely new infotainment system that will make its debut as early as 2018. Details are scarce so far, but Mercedes is expected fill in the needed information when it unveils the new infotainment system – dubbed as the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) – to the global public at the upcoming 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

Currently, all of Mercedes’ luxury offerings – from the A-Class to the S-Class -- are provided with the Comand (Cockpit Management and Data) infotainment system. This infotainment system – featuring a dedicated flat display screen -- serves as the command and control center for all telematics and telecommunications functions. The latest Comand system was launched in the 2013 S-Class, but the very first version of this technology was introduced before the year 2000. In short, the Comand infotainment system is now old, with its age already becoming an issue.

It turns out that Mercedes has been developing a new infotainment system that would replace Comand – the new MBUX. According to Mercedes, the MBUX features innovative technology derived artificial intelligence and an intuitive operating system. It will soon define a new era of infotainment and connectivity, as the German premium carmaker will make this new system as standard in the next generation of its compact car – in particular in the all-new Mercedes A-Class – in 2018. This new MBUX infotainment system is expected to find its way through the rest of Mercedes’ vehicle compact lineup. Thus, expect the MBUX system to trickle its way to the B-Class, CLA and CLA Shooting Brake as well as GLA. Expect the MBUX system to also be offered on other vehicles in Mercedes’ future lineup.

Times are changing quite fast. Before you know it, you’d have to say goodbye to your old CD collection for good.Ford earlier introduced the SmartLink 4G plugin connectivity for its older models to provide Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 8 smart devices simultaneously. Now, Ford is once again introducing another breakthrough with its latest in-vehicle live stream TV infotainment option. This time, the live TV streaming technology will be offered to some of its latest models; one of which is the 2018 Ford Expedition with dual headrest entertainment system viewable at the rear seats.

Passengers seated at the second row can get to enjoy their Slingbox subscription to watch live TV. The Slingbox is the first of its kind to be available as an in-vehicle TV platform. A so-called SlingPlayer app is needed to run the Slingbox device since both of these are products of the Sling Media company. How does it work? First, you need to connect your home cable or TV satellite to the Slingbox device. Together with SlingPlayer application, the built-in system can let you receive signal over the Internet.

The entertainment system comes with two monitors measuring eight inches each, built within the headrests of the font seats. It lets the passengers not miss on any live sport events, news streams, movies and videos whether from a satellite system or home cable with the use of their Slingbox account.

One of the main features that have appealed to Cadillac’s customers is its Cadillac User Experience system or CUE. This is once again expected to change as the brand recently revealed that it will be coming out with the next generation of its CUE system. Offering an interface that is more intuitive and more personalized, the new CUE is slated to make its official debut with the 2017 Cadillac CTS.

Customers in the U.S. market should expect this to arrive at their favorite dealerships within the first quarter. After the 2017 CTS, Cadillac will then be including this new system with 2018 XTS and the 2018 ATS. The brand disclosed that other product ranges will have the same system in their future model years.

Many are already familiar with this system but this next generation dynamic platform now allows modification over time in order to meet the connectivity needs of the customer, which itself is continuously evolving. In addition, it fully utilizes the Cloud to allow for better personalization. That said, connection navigation is still present and applications can be downloaded through the Collection app store.

The year 2016 will bring in FCA’s array of Uconnect systems that display highly advanced features like a faster start-up performance, more responsive touchscreens, processing power improvements, high resolution touchscreen display and brightness, better touchscreen controls, and the Uconnect 8.4 NAV system.

Meanwhile, some select models will also include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Apple CarPlay: Through this system, iPhone users can use their devices smartly and safely inside a car. Apple CarPlay allows seamless integration of an iPhone with the vehicle’s in-built controls and display along with Siri voice control. The app permits drivers to access music, make phone calls, send and get messages, receive messages according to traffic conditions, and many more features that can be used while driving.

The Android OS currently powers over 1 billion handheld devices. But soon enough, General Motors’ offerings will have an infotainment system based on Google’s widely used operating system. GM’s supplier of its next-generation infotainment system -- Harman International – has disclosed that it would base the technology on Android and would roll it out on the carmaker’s vehicles in late 2016.

Harman chief executive remarked that the next-generation infotainment system will enable an app store to allow it to stay “technologically relevant over the life cycle of the vehicle.” The apps for the infotainment system will be developed by not only Google, but also General Motors, Harman and other third parties. Harman is a member of the Google-led Open Automotive Alliance.

He remarked that the company is collaborating with Google on the system to ensure that Android is “automotive-grade ready.” That would mean that Harman cater to demands from carmakers, including making the Android infotainment system start up almost instantaneously as soon as the driver starts the vehicle.

We already know that Jaguar will unveil its all-new 2015 XE compact sedan on September 8 but the British car manufacturer keeps teasing us. This time, Jaguar revealed some details about the new InControl infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen that will be featured on the 2015 XE. What’s more interesting is that the InControl Remote enables smartphone control of functions such as door unlocking or engine start.

This means you can unlock the vehicle or start your engine from anywhere in the world or even pre-set the vehicle’s climate control system for up to seven days. How does that sound?

In addition, the InControl Apps allows the users to access their Apple or Android smartphone applications through the 8-inch touchscreen. Furthermore, the Jaguar XE is a perfect Wi-Fi hotspot for multiple devices.

Typically, a vehicle’s infotainment system can be accessed through a display integrated on the dashboard. This means that only the driver and the front passenger could have access to the infotainment system. That now changes with the Audi Smart Display, a portable tablet that promises more than access to infotainment system.

The Audi Smart Display was unveiled in prototype form at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Audi Smart Display portable tablet comes with a 10.2-inch full-HD display encased in brushed aluminum. Using a secure and stable WLAN interface and via the Android operating system, the Smart Display can connect seamlessly with the vehicle. It is boosted by the state-of-the-art computing and graphics power of its Nvidia Tegra 40 processor.

Whether one is in front or on the rear seats, he can use the portable touchscreen to control the radio, media and navigation systems. Likewise, one can also catch a glimpse of the vehicle’s operating status.

The Center for Defensive Driving filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Ford Motor Co., claiming that the MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch infotainment systems are defective. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by the CDD.

The complaint alleges that the infotainment system, which was tested in a 2013 Ford F-150 Lariat pickup leased by the CDD -- often freezes and fails to respond to voice and touch commands. It also alleges that the system has a poor connection with mobile phones and MP3 players.

The complaint alleges that the carmaker has knowledge of the defects but did not disclose them to potential customers. Ford has issued several technical service bulletins regarding system errors, and upgraded and extended the warranty on the system following complaints in 2012. Ford chief executive Alan Mulally acknowledged problems with the system in 2011, but remarked that customers would be satisfied after the upgrade.

Chrysler Group will be featuring a Microsoft-based infotainment system at some of its lower-trim vehicles. The Windows-based infotainment system will have the same name as Chrysler's QNX-based infotainment system – Uconnect – but will operate on a different manner with Microsoft software. QNX Software Systems provides nearly all the software and other technology for Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system.

This QNX-based infotainment system has received praises from critics for its ease of use, options and sophistication. The Windows-based infotainment system dubbed as Uconnect 5.0 was first installed in the Fiat 500L five-door hatchback in Europe in 2012. Uconnect 5.0 features a five-inch touch screen as well as support for multiple devices like smartphones, tablet computers and media players.

The Uconnect 5.0 installed in the Fiat 500L is capable of installing applications and services like Fiat's eco:Drive app, which provides engine and emissions data. Uconnect 5.0 infotainment system comes as standard in the 500L, which will be rolled out in the United States this summer.

Renault thinks that its best option to increase sales of its R-Link infotainment system is to follow Apple's iPhone and App Store business model. This year, Renault will launch the R-Link in the Clio subcompact, Zoe EV and Fluence large sedan. Renault accomplishes this by presenting applications that could be downloaded onto the users’ proprietary R-Link tablet computer.

Renault is requiring customers to pay for the in-car computer as well as for the apps to operate in their car. This is a huge risk for Renault since the system has to be extremely practical and simple to operate so that customers become willing to pay for it. The R-Link tablet, which has a price tag of less than EUR1,000, will be filled with navigation, communications, entertainment, travel services and other applications.

The apps can be accessed via voice commands by the drivers who can use the system to send and receive e-mails, tweets and phone texts. Later on, users will be able to buy over 50 apps available from the R-Link Store.

The first Chevrolet model to use the second-generation version of the MyLink infotainment system, including the new software and user interface, is the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Impala sedan. It will go on sale in the spring of 2013. There will be four preloaded themes to choose from.

Users can change the appearance of the system in the center stack and a display in the gauge cluster. Chevrolet revealed that to develop these themes, it examined smartphones, tablets and sports graphics. Natural language voice commands are accepted by the new MyLink. Smartphones are used to get a link to the internet.

It has a memory that could store as many as 60 entries for your contacts and list of radio stations and navigation destinations. The system could connect up to 10 devices via Bluetooth or a USB port. Users can use tablet-style drag and swipe gestures to page on the 2013 Cadillac XTS sedan.

Mercedes-Benz said that its latest advertising creative is projected to connect the brand better with its drivers. Specifically, the new ad hopes to show how the newest telematics innovation from the brand, which is the mbrace2, works. This system is able to fully engage the drivers with their vehicles in the safety. Dubbed as “All From One Place,” this thirty-second spot will be making its official debut at the 2012 U.S. Open, a sporting event that Mercedes-Benz sponsors as well. According to Mercedes-Benz, the mbrace2 is able to offer the highest quality features in terms of vehicle care, personal assistance, infotainment, and safety.

Through open Internet access, the mbrace2 is able to deliver a vehicle that is connected. Drivers can also use it to customize a number of popular apps like Google Local Search, Yelp, and Facebook. Called Mercedes-Benz Apps, drivers will be able to design these for their own use. Another solution included in the mbrace2 is the ability to update software remotely through cloud networks. Thus, users are guaranteed to have easy access to the latest versions of their favorite apps while inside the vehicle.

By having limited functionality and combining it with a sensible user design, these applications are able to maximize their utility without the presence of any unnecessary distraction. This is important especially when the vehicle is running. That being said, there are features that will not be available when the vehicle is currently in motion. The "All From One Place" ad shows a young man going through different scenarios.

General Motors is making sure that its Cadillac customers get the best technical support for its up and coming infotainment system, the Cadillac User Experience, or CUE. For that purpose, GM wants its Cadillac dealers to assign two employees to serve as certified CUE specialists that would run customers through the new infotainment system.

One of the CUE specialists will operate in sales and the other in service. GM will also employ 25 service representatives who will be assigned across the company’s largest markets to respond to questions from both dealers and customers. According to Mark Harland, GM’s head of connected customer experience, CUE specialists could make house calls to Cadillac customers who may need help about the new infotainment system. Cadillac will roll out the CUE system across its lineup in June, along with the launch its XTS sedan.

CUE boasts of being the first infotainment touch screen in the car industry that permits drivers to use the same finger gestures widely used on tablets and smartphones. As a bonus, Cadillac will give iPads to customer who will buy CUE-installed vehicles.

With automotive infotainment becoming a fad among auto users, big names in the chip-making industry are taking their strides to enter the auto industry. Intel Corp. recently created a $100 million investment fund to urge both software and hardware developers to develop new technologies for automotive infotainment.

According to research firm Gartner Inc., autos will be one of the three fastest growing markets for connected devices and Internet content by 2014. Intel, the top player in the computer microprocessor market, named some technologies that it plans to develop for the auto industry: speech recognition, gesture recognition and eye tracking.

To that extent, Intel signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese supplier Denso Corp to design next-generation vehicle infotainment systems on Feb. 29, 2012. Denso is known for developing the NaviBridge and Arpeggio infotainment technologies. NaviBridge allows a driver to use an iPhone to set destinations for the onboard navigator while Arpeggio allows the driver to use smartphone applications in the vehicle.

Fiat marks the milestone of the delivery of its two-millionth car with Blue&Me on Dec. 12 to a customer at the Motor Village near Turin. If you’re looking for technology and sophistication, you won’t make a mistake with choosing the Fiat 500, which was presented to the U.S. in early 2011 and which is equipped with Blue&Me, an innovative communications and infotainment system that integrates mobile phones, digital music players and navigation devices into the audio system and controls of the car.

It is powered by Windows Embedded Automotive and enables the driver to control these devices via voice control. Blue&Me was jointly developed by Fiat and Microsoft. With this device, drivers can be mobile while placing and taking calls, listening to incoming text messages, and playing music – all without having to take hands off the wheel or eyes off the road.

Personal devices are easy to connect to the vehicle with the use of the Bluetooth wireless technology and the industry’s first manufacturer-installed USB interface whether it’s to a mobile phone, media player or a simple USB storage device.

Harman will be the official supplier of automotive audio and infotainment systems for both Fiat and Chrysler, further strengthening its status in the industry.

This development has been announced only a month after a similar agreement was entered with BMW. In particular, Harman will supply the next-generation infotainment platform, complete with advanced connectivity, integrated on-board navigation and audio tuning capabilities to Fiat and Chrysler. There are very few details available on this system.

It has also yet to be disclosed when this new system is expected to debut. In a release, Harman CEO Dinesh C. Paliwal said that he is delighted to extend the company's long-standing relationship with Chrysler Group to Fiat.

Kia has officially unveiled the UVO, a new infotainment system set to compete with Ford's Sync. The UVO will run on Microsoft Windows embedded auto software that's identical to Ford's Sync. However, it has features that are not seen on Sync.

The UVO will have Microsoft's new advanced speech recognition software, which recognizes the operator's voice (up to two different operators) and creates a personal profile for the person.

Using this profile, the system is trained to recognize commands from the user and create shortcuts. The software is also able to recognize several languages and then creates the profile in the language used.

Denso Corp.'s system called Blue Harmony will be launched in 2011. Denso spokeswoman Bridgette Gollinger said that the prototypes are being demonstrated to potential customers, which she declined to name.

Denso's system faces competition from Kia Motors America, which will introduce a similar system developed by Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group on the 2011 Kia Sorento compact SUV called UVO.

Italy's Magneti Marelli S.p.A. and US-based Harman International Industries Inc. will supply the next-generation entry-level infotainment system to BMW AG. In a joint statement, the suppliers said that the system will be seen in BMW's new vehicle platforms.

According to industry sources, this technology will be used on BMW and Mini models beginning in 2013. BMW said that it will debut its new front-wheel and four-wheel-drive architecture on the third-generation Mini hatchback.

The new multimedia-driven system will combine Magneti Marelli's open platform with Harman's connectivity and mobile office features.